Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives Introduces Reef Friendly Sunscreens

Marine conservation is a priority at this island retreat with initiatives steadily rolled out. In September last year, to help safeguard coral life, the resort introduced reef-safe sunscreen to divers and snorkellers in order to protect marine life from the harmful effects of two chemicals, Oxybenzone & Octinoxate.

“Many regular sunscreens contain these two chemicals, which have been shown in laboratory studies to be highly toxic to corals and other animals particularly when they are young, the stage when marine populations are replenished,” explained Peter Pringle, Resident Marine Biologist at the resort.

Every year between 6,000 and 14,000 tons of sunscreen washes off into the sea. Due to their potential toxicity to reefs, the sale of sunscreens containing Oxybenzone and Octinoxate has been banned worldwide including the islands of Hawaii and Palau. Preventing high levels of associated toxic compounds from entering the water could contribute to healthier reefs in the face of widespread coral die-offs linked to warmer ocean temperatures and global climate change.

Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu said, “This is another step ahead for Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives. Pursuing our commitment towards an Environmental Management System and increasing our efforts in Sustainable Tourism. More will be announced in future as we lay down practices and projects enhancing green and eco driven initiatives for everyone’s benefit.”